Things to do on Holiday in Cornwall

Walking Holidays in Cornwall

There are a wide variety of books and web sites offering circular walks, pub walks or routes along the South West Coast Path among others.

Cornish Coast Path

The South West Coast Path is probably one of the best known routes and runs from Minehead in Somerset around Land's End to Poole in Dorset The Cornish coast offers some of the most spectacular scenery along its route, taking in the dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches on the north coast, the industrial heritage of tin mines perched precariously on the cliffs around Cape Cornwall and the more developed areas on the south coast, such as Falmouth and Penzance.

Woodland Walks in Cornwall

It's also important to remember that Cornwall is not only about the coast. Places like Idless Woods, Tehidy Country Park and Cardinham Woods offer some beautiful woodland through which to wander (all are also very dog friendly). For something a little more unusual why not visit Kennal Vale, a stunning valley in Ponsanooth that is the site of a former gunpowder factory with many of the buildings (now ruined) and a spectacular fast flowing stream.

Cornwall is a wonderful county for walking and we are particularly well placed at Rayle Farm, being only a mile from the spectacular South West Coastal Path. Here are one or two thoughts for local walks.

A delightful 3 mile circular walk from the farm takes you down the Mineral Tramways track to Portreath where you then can wander back through Illogan woods to Illogan and then home to the farm in Bridge.

Further afield, there is a spectacular coastal walk between Porthtowan and Chapel Porth. Reward yourself with a “Cornish Hedgehog” from the excellent café at Chapel Porth. This consists of a ball of icecream rolled in clotted cream and nuts – very sustaining!

A favourite inland walk of our’s starts near St. Agnes and you walk alongside a stream through a wooded coombe to the sea by the old Blue Hills Mine. There are some amazing old mining relics to be seen along this route. If you are feeling energetic you can then take the coastal path to Perranporth, a popular seaside resort with an amazing beach.

Tehidy Country Park is only about 2 miles from the farm and you can amalgamate a delightful woodland walk with a start by the sea at Bassets Cove near Portreath.

No trip to this part of Cornwall would be complete without a walk to see the iconic lighthouse at Godrevy. You can start your walk anywhere along the Coastal Path between Portreath and Godrevy point.

A book I particularly recommend is “Around Perranporth St. Agnes and Portreath” by Bob Acton. It shows 16 circular walks in this beautiful area and is crammed with fascinating local detail. Copies can be borrowed at the farm for a small deposit.